Red Bulls observations, roster news and analysis

Wednesday was the last day of training at the Giants stadium bubble before the Red Bulls head for California. It wasn't quite as intense as previous days but it was still interesting.

Here is the news of the day from Wednesday as well a complete analysis of many of the team's new players and players with question marks surrounding them:

I asked Jeff Agoos if the club had sufficient cap room to add a second designated player without having to make any cuts from the current roster. He admitted that this was the case, effectively putting to end the belief (started in large part by previous Agoos comments) that the team was in some salary cap trouble. Does this mean the club is going to sign a DP before April 15th (the MLS transfer window deadline)? That still seems unlikely according to Arena.

Here is the lowdown on the contract situations of some of the team's new players and the club's roster status heading into Thursday's deadline for teams to be cap and roster compliant:

Dane Richards- According to the Jamaican winger, he signed a senior contract with the Red Bulls before training camp.

Sinisa Ubiparipovic- The Serbian central midfielder told me he was finalizing a senior contract with the Red Bulls.

Hugh McDonald- The Kearny defender revealed that he has been offered and will accept a developmental contract from the club.

Ansu Toure- No contract offer yet but he will be making the trip to LA. Toure has good feet, a really good left foot, isn't afraid to go at defenders and has a good cross

Elie Ikangu- Agoos acknowledged that the club has put Ikangu on a senior roster contract. Sources had told me that the French defensive midfielder was ready to stay in France rather than come back to play for developmental money. His delay in coming back hasn't exactly made people here happy, especially now that he's been dealing with a hamstring injury upon his return. Arena and company are high in his skills but he had better start performing before he becomes a victim of the numbers crunch in central midfield.

Craig Capano- He has played well enough to earn a developmental contract offer. The question is whether he will take it. He's originally from the area (Hyde Park, NY) so maybe he can handle playing for developmental money for a year in order to try and salvage his career. He's going to LA so there's a chance.

Tim Regan- He is still in recovery mode from hip surgery and can't do much just yet. As long as he stays on schedule in his recovery he should have a place on the team. The guy is a class act so here's hoping things work out. It's MLS though and he could just as easily be cut in favor of other options if the team feels he isn't coming back quickly enough.

Taylor Graham- Participated in his first full practice on Wednesday and was pretty active. The LA trip is crucial for him. Arena needs to see what he has in Graham, who was hurt for most of the time Arena was coach last season, because as it stands Graham is projected to be the first center back option off the bench behind Mendes and Parke (Regan is in the mix there too obviously).

Randi Patterson- I have no info on whether he was offered a developmental slot but the feeling I get is that he will get one. The kid is local and has shown some good potential. He's quick and has a good left-footed shot. He's also a jersey kid so that makes it easier for him to stay on as a developmental player. Having seen him play in high school I wouldn't mind him sticking around so I can feel that much older.

Here is the thing that needs to be understood by all the people who don't really understand the complexities of MLS contract situations. None of these contracts are guaranteed (except a handful of the higher end deals in the league). They can be cut the day after they agree to a deal. They can also be dropped from senior roster to status to developmental roster status and vice versa. All the maneuvers taking place right now are in order to comply with Thursday's date but players could just as easily have their status change at any point before the summer date when contracts become guaranteed.

Now, if Ikangu, Richards and Ubiparipovic really are senior roster spot guys then you have one too many players for the 18-man senior roster:

Goalkeepers (2)- Waterreus, Conway

Defenders (7) - Marvell Wynne, Todd Dunivant, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Eric Denton, Taylor Graham, Tim Regan

Midfielders (8)- Claudio Reyna, Markus Schopp, Dave Van Den Bergh, Dema Kovalenko, Seth Stammler, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Dane Richards, Elie Ikangu

Forwards (2) - John Wolyniec, Mike Magee

So what's the deal here? Ubiparipovic is the only one who hasn't completed a deal so maybe he's going to be on a developmental deal with some bonus money to balance things out. Thing is Ubiparipovic told me his deal was a senior deal that depended on how well he did. Could it be that he's actually starting out as developmental with a chance to be upgraded during the year? This is the only thing it could be without the club having to cut anyone. Richards was a second round pick so getting a senior deal makes more sense for him. Ubi might have played his way into consideration.

More importantly, what does this mean for Ansu Toure? I don't think he's going to be playing for a developmental contract (if he even can at his age), so how does he fit? After hearing the scoop on him from sources within the club, as well as watching him in training, it seems like the guy is a solid forward worth a senior slot (he still needs work but has tools and looks to have more upside than some other options). The club has some time to make a decision on Toure because he's a non-roster invitee (trialist) so it could be waiting for someone to play themself off the roster to fit Toure in.

Then there is the waiver draft. We shouldn't expect too much from that though because the Red Bulls have the last pick in the draft (after being the last team to pick a player in the last waiver draft after the 2006 season (Eric Denton). Will anyone worthwile be available after all the league's other teams have picked at the scraps?

In other news, to the surprise of absolutely nobody, Peter Philipakos did not return to training. Bruce Arena and Jeff Agoos were both very diplomatic in their statements about him but others weren't nearly as nice in private. the general consensus is that he was a headcase who was miles away from being good enough (more because of work ethic, attitude and decision-making issues than actual skill). I actually didn't know this kid's history until after witnessing Tuesday's meltdown in practice. Now it all seems to make more sense. This guy's career is spiraling down the tubes and he isn't handling it well. He has some skill but the guy might have enjoyed more success than he could handle early on and is now struggling with his new reality. If he rebounds and pieces his career back together I will be seriously surprised. Maybe he straightens himself out over the next four months and come back to the Red Bulls in a better state of mind (I wouldn't bet a penny on that though).

Should we expect any surprises from the team on Thursday? I doubt it but you never know with this club.

I won't be going out to LA to see the team (though that could change) but I will be in touch with my sources to keep tabs on how people are doing out there.

Comments

[Pete]

Thanks Ives! That was exactly the info I was looking for.

As for Toure, based on his age, I don't think he's eligible for a DEV contract even if he was willing to accept one.

[Tim]

Fabulous reporting Ives.

I assume the difference between the senior and developmental contracts is some combination of age and salary ranges. If someone knows what these differences/ranges are can they share them?

It would be a shame to lose Ubiparipovic if he won't sign a developmental contract.

Also the reports about Toure are great news given the question marks at the forward spot. While the Red Bulls are not deep at defense either, they should consider trading or giving up either Graham, Denton or Regan to get Toure if necessary. The team should also consider any offers for Magee.

Any word on Randi Patterson?

[El Steve]

Philipakos?

A bust?

Surely you jest!?

[Nick]

This was an outstanding post. Top-quality journalism. We owe you Ives...

[ag nigrin]

Thanks as always Ives...

[Mike]

What's the deal with Blake Camp? Still a developmental or is he gone?

[Tim]

Blake is still developmental

[MLS Fan]

Thanks, Ives! Top-notch stuff.